Chester man accused of sexually abusing girls

CHESTER» A 59-year-old city man has been arrested and charged with more than 30 counts for allegedly sexually assaulting a young girl over a period of several years.

Donald Leroy Purnell, of the 700 block of Highland Avenue, was arrested Tuesday following an investigation by Chester Police Officer Jennifer Jones of the Juvenile Division.

He is charged with 10 counts each of rape of child and aggravated indecent assault of a child, both first-degree felonies, as well as 10 counts of indecent assault, a third-degree felony, one count each of endangering the welfare of children, a thirddegree felony, and corruption of minors, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Jones responded to a report of a sexual abuse allegation involving a 7-year-old girl on Nov. 21, according to an affidavit of probable cause. During her investigation, Jones learned that Purnell allegedly sexually abused another person years ago from the ages of 5 to 11 years old.

That alleged victim, who is now an adult, was able to describe the abuse to Jones in detail, including specific incidents, locations and timeframes. She recounted Purnell touching her all over her body and penetrating her vaginally on numerous occasions, according to the affidavit.

Those allegations were supported by a prior police report and further interviews with other people, one of whom also claims to have been molested by Purnell multiple times when she was just 4 years old, according to the affidavit.

“I would like to commend the job done by Officer Jennifer Jones,” said Police Commissioner

Steven Gretsky in a release. “Predators such as Purnell should be removed from our community and face the full extent of our justice system.”

Purnell was arraigned by District Justice Walter Strohl and his bail was set at 10% of $250,000. Purnell remains in custody at the county prison in Concord awaiting a Jan. 6 preliminary hearing before Spencer B. Seaton Jr. No defense attorney was listed on court documents.